Bandaranaike - Chelvanayagam Pact, 1957

Mr.S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom
Party, became Prime Minister in June 1956, after winning the General
Elections. At the Trincomalee Convention of the Federal Party in August
1956, the following demands were made to the new Prime
Minister:

1. Federal Constitution2. Parity of Status for Tamil and
Sinhala languages;3. Repeal of citizenship laws which had
discriminated against Tamils of Indian descent;4. Immediate halt
to the colonisation of the Tamil homeland.

Direct action by non violent means was threatened if these
demands were not met within one year.

On 26 July 1957, an agreement was entered into between
Mr.S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, Prime Minister of Ceylon and Mr.S.J.V.
Chelvanayagam, Leader of the Thamil Arasu Katchi (Federal Party) -
the Bandaranaike Chelvanayakam Pact

The agreement was repudiated by Mr. Bandaranaike in April 1958
in view of a campaign led by the Buddhist clergy and sections of the
Sinhala political leadership which included President J.R. Jayawardene,
who was then leader of the opposition in Parliament and who on 4 October
1957 led a march to Kandy to invoke the blessings of the gods for his
campaign.

Part A

Representatives of the Federal Party have had a series of discussions
with the Prime Minister in an effort to resolve the differences of opinion
that had been growing and creating tension.

At an early stage of these conversations it became evident that it was
not possible for the Prime Minister to accede to some of the demands of
the Federal Party.

The Prime Minister stated that, from the point of view of the
government, he was not in a position to discuss the setting up of a
Federal Constitution, or regional autonomy, or take any step that would
abrogate the Official Language Act.

The question then arose whether it was possible to explore the
possibility of an adjustment without the Federal Party abandoning or
surrendering any of its fundamental principles or objectives.

At this stage, the Prime Minister suggested an examination of the
Government's draft Regional Councils Bill to see whether provision could
be made under it to meet, reasonably, some of the matters in this regard
which the Federal Party had in view.

The Agreements so reached are embodied in a separate document.

Regarding the language issue, the Federal Party reiterated its stand
for parity, but in view of the position of the Prime Minister in this
matter they came to an agreement by way of adjustment. They pointed out
that it was important for them that there should be a recognition of Tamil
as a national language, and that the administrative work of the Northern
and Eastern Provinces should be done in Tamil.

The Prime Minister stated that as mentioned by him earlier it was not
possible for him to take any steps that would abrogate the Official
Language Act.

After discussion, it was agreed that the proposed legislation should
contain recognition of Tamil as the language of a national minority of
Ceylon, and that the four points mentioned by the Prime Minister should
include provision that, without infringing on the position of the Official
language as such, the language of the administration of the Northern and
Eastern Provinces be Tamil, and that any necessary provision be made for
the non-Tamil speaking minorities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Regarding the question of Ceylon citizenship for people of Indian
descent and the revision of the Citizenship Act, the representatives of
the Federal Party put forward their views to the Primo Minister and
pressed for an early settlement. The Prime Minister indicated that the
problem would receive early consideration. In view of these conclusions
the Federal Party stated that they were withdrawing their proposed
satyagraha.

Part B

1. Regional areas to be defined in the Bill itself by embodying them in
a schedule thereto.

2. That the Northern Province is to form one regional area whilst the
Eastern Province is to be divided into two or more regional areas.

3. Provision is to be made in the Bill to enable two or more regions
to amalgamate even beyond provincial limit; and for one region to divide
itself subject to ratification by Parliament. Further provision is to be
made in the Bill for two or more regions to collaborate for specific
purposes of common interests.

4. Provision is to be made for direct election of regional
councillors. Provision is to be made for a delimitation commission or
commissions for carving out electorates. The question of M.P.s
representing districts falling within regional areas to be eligible to
function as chairmen is to be considered. The question of Government
Agents being regional commissioners is to be considered. The question of
supervisory functions over larger towns, strategic towns and
municipalities is to be looked into.

5. Parliament is to delegate powers and to specify them in the Act. It
was agreed that regional councils should have powers over specified
subjects including agriculture, co-operatives, lands and land development,
colonization, education, health, industries and fisheries, housing and
social services, electricity, water schemes and roads. Requisite
definition of powers will be made in the Bill.

6. It was agreed that in the matter of colonization schemes the
powers of the regional councils shall include the power to select
allottees to whom lands within their area of authority shall be alienated
and also power to select personnel to be employed for work on such
schemes. The position regarding the area at present administered by the
Gal Oya Board in this matter requires consideration.

7. The powers in regard to the regional council vested in the Minister
of Local Government in the draft Bill to be revised with a view to vesting
control in Parliament wherever necessary.

8. The Central Government will provide block grants to the regional
councils. The principles on which the grants will be computed will be gone
into. The regional councils shall have powers of taxation and
borrowing.